U.S. patent application number 12/327052 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-01 for contents receiving apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Michiaki OKANO.
Application Number | 20090244087 12/327052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41116420 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090244087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKANO; Michiaki |
October 1, 2009 |
CONTENTS RECEIVING APPARATUS
Abstract
According to one embodiment of the invention, a contents
receiving apparatus includes: a communication unit configured to
receive contents data; a display unit configured to display an
image included in the contents data; and a controller configured to
instruct the communication unit to receive contents data, and to
control the display unit to display the image, wherein, when
estimated time of completion for receiving the contents data is
longer than a given time, the controller controls the display unit
to change a luminance level of the display unit from a first
luminance level to a second luminance level that is lower than the
first luminance level or not to display the contents, and wherein,
when the estimated time is equal to or shorter than the given time,
the controller controls the display unit to maintain the luminance
level at the first luminance level.
Inventors: |
OKANO; Michiaki;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK, PC
220 Fifth Avenue, 16TH Floor
NEW YORK
NY
10001-7708
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41116420 |
Appl. No.: |
12/327052 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/589 ;
455/3.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 52/027 20130101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; H04M 1/0272 20130101; H04M 1/72436 20210101;
H04M 1/72445 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/589 ;
455/3.06 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/10 20060101
G09G005/10; H04H 40/00 20080101 H04H040/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2008 |
JP |
P2008-093940 |
Claims
1. A contents receiving apparatus comprising: a communication unit
configured to receive contents data; a display unit configured to
display an image included in the contents data; and a controller
configured to instruct the communication unit to receive contents
data, and to control the display unit to display the image,
wherein, when estimated time of completion for receiving the
contents data is longer than a given time, the controller controls
the display unit to change a luminance level of the display unit
from a first luminance level to a second luminance level that is
lower than the first luminance level or not to display the
contents, and wherein, when the estimated time is equal to or
shorter than the given time, the controller controls the display
unit to maintain the luminance level at the first luminance
level.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the
communication unit receives the contents data, the controller
controls the display unit to display an image indicating that the
communication unit is receiving the contents data.
3. A contents receiving apparatus comprising: a communication unit
configured to receive contents data; an image output unit
configured to output an image included in the contents data; and a
controller configured to instruct the communication unit to receive
contents data, and to control the image output unit to output the
image, wherein, when estimated time of completion for receiving the
contents data is longer than a given time, the controller controls
the image output unit to change a luminance level of the image from
a first luminance level to a second luminance level that is lower
than the first luminance level or not to output the image, and
wherein, when the estimated time is equal to or shorter than the
given time, the controller controls the image output unit to
maintain the luminance level at the first luminance level.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the
communication unit receives the contents data, the controller
controls the image output unit to output an image indicating that
the communication unit is receiving the contents data.
5. A contents receiving apparatus comprising: a communication unit
configured to receive contents data; a display unit configured to
display an image included in the contents data; an image output
unit configured to output the image; and a controller configured to
instruct the communication unit to receive contents data, to
control the image output unit to output the image, and to control
the display unit to display the image, wherein, when estimated time
or completion for receiving the contents data is longer than a
given time, the controller controls the image output unit to change
a luminance level of the image from a first luminance level to a
second luminance level that is lower than the first luminance level
or not to output the image, and controls the display unit to
display the image, and wherein, when the estimated time is equal to
or shorter than the given time, the controller controls the image
output unit to maintain the luminance level at the first luminance
level, and controls the display unit to display the image.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the
communication unit receives the contents data, the controller
controls the image output unit to output a notification image
indicating that the communication unit is receiving the contents
data, and controls the display unit to display the notification
image.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the estimated
time is longer than the given time while a mode of the controller
allows the display unit to display the image and allows the image
output unit to output the same image, the controller controls the
image output unit to change the luminance level of the image from
the first luminance level to the second luminance level or not to
output the image, and controls the display unit to display the
image, and wherein, when the estimated time is longer than the
given time while the mode of the controller allows the display unit
to display the image and allows the image output unit to output a
different image that is different from the image, the controller
controls the image output unit to maintain the luminance level at
the first luminance level and controls the display unit not to
display the image, or controls the display unit to display the
image.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, when the
communication unit receives the contents data, the controller
controls the display unit to display a notification image
indicating that the communication unit is receiving the contents
data.
9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a screen of the
display unit is provided in a main body, and the image output unit
is a projector.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a part of the
contents data is received by the communication unit, the controller
calculate a reception speed from a data size of the part of the
contents data and a time required to receive the part of the
contents data, and wherein the controller predicts a time required
to receive the contents data based on the reception speed and size
of the contents data.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, when the contents
is reproduced by streaming, the estimated time is a time for
receiving a certain amount of the contents data to start
streaming.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a
storage unit that stores a plurality of communication rates
associated with error rates on a communication path and
communication methods on the communication path, wherein the
communication unit receives the contents data by one of the
communication methods, and wherein, when the communication unit
receives a part of the contents data by the one of the transmission
methods, the controller configured: to calculate the reception
speed of the one of the communication method, to acquire one of the
error rates stored in the storage unit corresponding to the
reception speed, to acquire reception speeds corresponding to
communication methods, to calculate the time required to receive
the contents data in the respective communication method from the
reception speeds and the size of the contents data, to select one
of the communication methods based on the calculated times, and to
instruct the communication unit to receive the contents by the
selected communication method.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the controller
selects a communication method in which the predicted time required
to receive is shortest.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the controller
selects a communication method in which power consumption of the
communication unit to receive the contents is lowest.
15. The apparatus according claim 1, wherein the communication unit
is configured to receive the contents via one of a plurality of
communication paths, wherein the controller selects one of the
communication paths in which a current required by the
communication unit has a current value equal to or less than a
given current value, and instructs the communication unit to
receive the contents via the selected communication path.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-093940, filed
Mar. 31, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a contents receiving
apparatus, and in particular, to a processing for displaying
received contents.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] a contents receiving apparatus displays images on a display
section, having a display screen, on which a user views images, and
externally displays images by an image output section such that a
person other than the user can view the images, regardless of
whether or not the user can view the images, or the number of
persons. An example of external display by the image output section
is projection by a projector. The projector projects images on a
screen or a wall other than the apparatus. For the projector, any
light source may be used.
[0006] Another example of external display by the image output
section is display by a large display section, for example, a
liquid crystal display or a cathode-ray tube. The image output
section may be incorporated into a housing of the apparatus or may
be detachably mounted in the apparatus. The image output section
may be connected to the apparatus in a wired or wireless manner. In
transferring the images to the image output section in a wired or
wireless manner, any protocol may be used.
[0007] The images include all the contents to be externally
displayed. For example, still images or motion images may be used.
The images may be images including only character strings. Image
display includes reproduction display of stored images.
[0008] External display is used when the user (presenter) makes a
presentation. External display is also used when the user views
images. This is because, in the case of external display, images
are displayed on a large scale, as compared with display on the
display section, and thus images can be easily viewed. External
display and display on the display section may be identical or
different according to the user's intention, regardless of whether
or not a person who views images to be externally displayed is the
user or a person other than the user.
[0009] Images to be displayed are not limited to images stored in
the apparatus, regardless of external display or display on the
display section. That is, after the user sets display to be
performed according to his/her intention, an image may be received
by a communication section, and the received image may be
displayed. A motion image, which is being received by the
communication section, may be displayed. Display of a motion image
being received is called streaming reproduction.
[0010] After an instruction to receive an image is input until the
image can be displayed, it takes a time to receive the image. The
same is applied to streaming reproduction. If a part of a motion
image is received, and an unreceived portion of the motion image is
predicted to be received after the received portion of the motion
image is reproduced, it is determined that streaming reproduction
can be started. That is, after an instruction to receive a motion
image is input until display of the motion image by streaming
reproduction starts, it takes a time to receive a part of the
motion image.
[0011] A processing is known that, in order to reduce power
consumption for display, disables display after an instruction to
receive an image is input until the image can be displayed (for
example, see JP-A-2002-261922 (p. 1 and FIG. 2)).
[0012] According to the method disclosed in JP-A-2002-261922,
display is not performed after an instruction to receive an image
is input until the image can be displayed, regardless of the amount
of time. Accordingly, display is stopped even for a short time. Due
to display stoppage for a short time, for example, several seconds,
a person who views display feels a sense of discomfort. The same is
applied to a change in brightness, in addition to display
stoppage.
[0013] In any light source for the display section or the image
output section, it takes a predetermined time to start display
after display is stopped, or until high-luminance display is
performed. In addition, power consumption is increased when display
starts, as compared with when display is being performed. When
display starts frequently, the lifetime of the light source may be
shortened. For this reason, display stoppage for 10 minutes or less
is not desirable. This disadvantage depending to the light source
severely appears in an electric-discharge lamp, such as a mercury
lamp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a contents receiving apparatus including: a communication
unit configured to receive contents data; a display unit configured
to display an image included in the contents data; and a controller
configured to instruct the communication unit to receive contents
data, and to control the display unit to display the image,
wherein, when estimated time of completion for receiving the
contents data is longer than a given time, the controller controls
the display unit to change a luminance level of the display unit
from a first luminance level to a second luminance level that is
lower than the first luminance level or not to display the
contents, and wherein, when the estimated time is equal to or
shorter than the given time, the controller controls the display
unit to maintain the luminance level at the first luminance
level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A general architecture that implements the various feature
of the invention will now be described with reference to the
drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided
to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the
scope of the invention.
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B are exemplary exterior views of a foldable
mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the
invention in a state where upper and lower housings are opened.
[0017] FIGS. 2A and 2B are exemplary exterior views of a foldable
mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the
invention in a state where upper and lower housings are closed.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing the
configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of mobile
communication error rate-speed association according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an operation
of a browser section to receive contents and display the contents
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an exemplary detailed flowchart illustrating an
operation of a browser section to download contents according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an operation
of a browser section to instruct a change of a communication
path.
[0023] FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing a first example of an
image to be displayed on a display section during an operation of a
browser section according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing a second example of
an image to be displayed on a display section during an operation
of a browser section according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing a third example of
an image to be displayed on a display section during an operation
of a browser section according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing a first example of
an image to be displayed on an image output section during an
operation of a browser section according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram showing a fourth example of
an image to be displayed on a display section during an operation
of a browser section according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram showing a second example of
an image to be displayed on an image output section during an
operation of a browser section according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 14 is an exemplary diagram showing a third example of
an image to be displayed on an image output section during an
operation of a browser section according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 15 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an operation
of a contents transfer section to receive contents and display the
contents according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 16 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an operation
of an electronic mail transmitting/receiving section to receive
contents and display contents according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] An embodiment of a contents receiving apparatus according to
the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1A and 1B show the exterior structure of a foldable mobile
communication terminal, which is an example of a contents receiving
apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, in a state
where upper and lower housing are unfolded. FIG. 1A is a front
view, that is, a top view, and FIG. 1B is a side view.
[0033] The mobile communication terminal has an upper housing MS1
and a lower housing MS2, which are connected to each other by a
hinge MS3 to be rotatable around an axis A-A. The upper and lower
housings MS1 and MS2 are opened/closed in a range of approximately
0 degree (closed state) to 180 degrees (open state). Provided on an
inner surface of the upper housing MS1 are a speaker 14a that is
used for an incoming speech, and a display section 15 that is
formed by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with a backlight and used
for display to urge a user's operation, display of the content
according to the user's operation, or display of a cursor position
or an operation state of the terminal. An image output section 21
is provided on an outer surface of the upper housing MS1. The image
output section 21 is formed by a projector, which has a
light-emitting diode as a light source and projects an image
outside of the terminal.
[0034] A microphone 14b, which is used for an outgoing speech, is
provided on an inner surface of the lower housing MS2. An input
device 16, which is formed by a keypad, is provided on an inner
surface and a side surface of the lower housing MS2. An antenna,
which is used to transmit/receive an electric wave, is provided in
the lower housing MS2.
[0035] The input device 16 includes, on the inner surface of the
lower housing MS2, an enter key 16a that is used to instruct
decision or selection of each function, four keys that are provided
around the enter key 16a to surround the enter key 16a and
individually disposed on the up, down, left, and right sides of the
enter key 16a, and a cross selection key 16b that is used to
instruct movement of a cursor position on the display section 15. A
first function key 16c and a second function key 16d are provided
on the inner surface of the lower housing MS2 near the display
section 15, that is, on the left and right sides near the upper
housing MS1. The first function key 16c and the second function key
16d are used to select first and second functions displayed on the
left and right sides at a lower part of the display section 15,
respectively.
[0036] The input device 16 further includes, on the inner surface
of the lower housing MS2, numeric keys that are used to input
alphanumeric characters or characters, and symbols, and a plurality
of function keys that are used to input an instruction to supply or
shut off power with respect to the mobile communication terminal.
The input device 16 further includes a plurality of side keys 16e
that are provided on the side surface of the lower housing MS2.
[0037] A first open/close detection section (not shown) is provided
in the hinge MS3 to detect whether the upper and lower housings MS1
and MS2 are opened or closed. An open/close signal is output from
the first open/close detection section.
[0038] In order to detect whether the upper and lower housings MS1
and MS2 are opened or closed, a first magnet MS4a is embedded at an
upper part of the upper housing MS1 (a portion away from the hinge
MS3), and a second magnet MS4b is embedded at a lower part of the
lower housing MS2 (a portion away from the hinge MS3). Accordingly,
in the closed state, a distance between the first and second
magnets MS4a and MS4b becomes short.
[0039] For this reason, a second open/close detection section (not
shown) may be provided to detect the state by a magnetic force
acting between the first and second magnets MS4a and MS4b in the
closed state, and an open/close signal may be output from the
second open/close detection section. It may also be possible to
detect, on the basis of the open/close signal output from the first
open/close detection section and the open/close signal output from
the second open/close detection section, whether the upper and
lower housings MS1 and MS2 are opened or closed.
[0040] FIGS. 2A and 2B show the exterior structure when the upper
housing MS1 of the mobile communication terminal is rotated around
the hinge MS3, and the folder is closed such that the upper housing
MS1 is near the lower housing MS2. FIG. 2A is a front view, and
FIG. 2B is a side view. In a state where the folder is closed, the
display section 15 is inside the folder. Accordingly, the user
cannot view display on the display section 15. In addition, the
user can operate the side keys 16e from among the keys of the input
device 16, but he/she cannot operate the keys provided on the inner
surface of the lower housing MS2.
[0041] Meanwhile, since projection by the image output section 21
is performed outward, the user can view an image projected by the
image output section 21, similarly to when the upper and lower
housings MS1 and MS2 are opened.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
mobile communication terminal, which is an example of a contents
receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
The mobile communication terminal performs communication through a
mobile communication network (not shown) and local area wireless
communication by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system.
[0043] The mobile communication terminal includes a control section
11 that receives an open/close signal MS3a and controls the entire
terminal, an antenna 12a that transmits/receives an electric wave
to and from a base station (not shown), a mobile communication
network communication section 12b, a mobile communication error
rate-speed association storage section 12c, an antenna 12d that
transmits/receives an electric wave to and from a wireless LAN
access point (not shown), a local area wireless communication
section 12e, a transmitting/receiving section 13, a speaker 14a, a
microphone 14b, a transmitter 14c, a display section 15, and an
input device 16.
[0044] The mobile communication terminal further includes an image
output section 21, a contents storage section 22, a contents
reproduction section 23, a browser section 24, a contents transfer
section 25, an electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26,
and a rechargeable battery 31 that supplies power to the individual
sections of the terminal.
[0045] The mobile communication error rate-speed association
storage section 12c stores mobile communication error rate-speed
association 12f. The mobile communication error rate-speed
association 12f is information about association between an error
rate for each bearer and a communication speed with respect to
communication between the base station and the mobile communication
network communication section 12b.
[0046] The contents storage section 22 stores contents 22a. The
contents 22a include, but are not limited to, encoded or unencoded
still images, encoded or unencoded motion images, documents
including character strings, documents described in a page
description language, documents described in a markup language, and
programs running on the terminal.
[0047] The contents 22a may include encoded or unencoded sound.
What is necessary is that the size (necessary storage capacity) is
defined and display can be performed on the display section 15 or
the image output section 21 as images. For example, binary codes
other than the running programs may also be displayed as images if
they are converted into characters in hexadecimal or the like.
[0048] As such, since the contents 22a include all files, the
contents 22a and the files are not used as being distinguished from
each other. Reproduction display of the contents 22a includes
display of character strings, display by dumpling, and the like.
Reproduction display includes a processing for decoding encoded
signals, but any contents 22a may not require decoding.
[0049] The control section 11, the contents reproduction section
23, the browser section 24, the contents transfer section 25, and
the electronic email transmitting/receiving section 26 may be
implemented by a program running on a computer. The control section
11 executes the operation of an operating system (OS).
[0050] The operation of each section of the mobile communication
terminal having the above-described configuration according to an
embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
FIG. 3. First, the mobile communication network communication
section 12b outputs a high-frequency signal received by the antenna
12a to the transmitting/receiving section 13 and transmits, to the
antenna 12a, a high-frequency signal output from the
transmitting/receiving section 13.
[0051] The local area wireless communication section 12e performs
local area wireless communication according to a wireless LAN
system, outputs a high-frequency signal received by the antenna 12d
to the transmitting/receiving section 13, and transmits, to the
antenna 12d, the high-frequency signal output from the
transmitting/receiving section 13.
[0052] The transmitting/receiving section 13 amplifies, frequency
converts, and demodulates the high-frequency signal from the mobile
communication network communication section 12b to generate digital
signals, and amplifies, frequency convents, and demodulates the
high-frequency signal from the local area wireless communication
section 12e to generate digital signals. Among the digital signals,
a control signal is transmitted to the control section 11, a sound
signal to the transmitter 14c, a Web signal is transmitted to the
browser section 24, a contents transfer signal is transmitted to
the contents transfer section 25, and an electronic mail signal is
transmitted to the electronic mail transmitting/receiving section
26.
[0053] The transmitting/receiving section 13 receives a control
signal output from the control section 11, a sound signal output
from the transmitter 14c, a Web signal output from the browser
section 24, a contents transfer signal output from the contents
transfer section 25, and an electronic mail signal output from the
electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26. The
transmitting/receiving section 13 modulates, frequency converts,
and amplifies the digital signals to generate a high-frequency
signal, and transmits the high-frequency signal to the mobile
communication network communication section 12b. In addition, the
transmitting/receiving section 13 modulates, frequency converts,
and amplifies the digital signals to generate a high-frequency
signal, and transmits the high-frequency signal to the local area
wireless communication section 12e.
[0054] The transmitting/receiving section 13 can communicate with a
communication device (not shown), which is connected to Internet,
by the mobile communication network communication section 12b or
the local area wireless communication section 12e. The mobile
communication network communication section 12b ensures the
terminal to perform communication, regardless of where the terminal
is located, insofar as the terminal is located within a service
area of a mobile communication network. In addition, the local area
wireless communication section 12e ensures fast communication with
low power consumption.
[0055] Digital data communication by the mobile communication
network communication section 12b is performed through one of a
plurality of bearers. The transmitting/receiving section 13
performs transmission/reception by the mobile communication network
communication section 12b or the local area wireless communication
section 12e. In case of the mobile communication network
communication section 12b, a bearer through which digital data
communication is to be performed is selected based on designation
of a processing section as a momentum of data communication.
[0056] This designation may be made when data communication gets
started or when data communication is being performed. The mobile
communication network communication section 12b or the local area
wireless communication section 12e, or a communication method to be
identified by each bearer is called a communication path.
[0057] If no communication path is designated by the processing
section, when fastest communication needs to be performed, and
communication through the local area wireless communication section
12e is possible, the transmitting/receiving section 13 selects the
local area wireless communication section 12e. When the local area
wireless communication section 12e cannot be used, the
transmitting/receiving section 13 selects the mobile communication
network communication section 12b. The transmitting/receiving
section 13 also selects a fastest bearer. Thus, a fastest
communication path is selected. The selected communication path is
notified to the processing section.
[0058] When selecting the fastest communication path, the
transmitting/receiving section 13 selects the fastest communication
path in accordance with a fastest communication speed defined in
the specification of each communication path. The fastest
communication path may be selected in accordance with an average
communication speed in the specification or based on a previous
communication history. In addition, the communication speed of each
of the communication paths may be estimated in accordance with the
intensity or quality, such as a signal to noise ratio, of an
electric wave received by the communication section, and then the
fastest communication path may be selected on the basis of the
estimated communication speed.
[0059] When communication is being performed, the
transmitting/receiving section 13 performs a handover in order to
communicate with the mobile communication network without
interruption at the fastest speed. The handover includes a handover
to a different base station, a handover to a different bearer in
the same base station, and a handover from one of the mobile
communication network communication section 12b and the local area
wireless communication section 12e to the other one.
[0060] The transmitter 14c converts the digital sound signal output
from the transmitting/receiving section 13 into an analog sound
signal, amplifies the analog sound signal, and sends the amplified
analog sound signal to the speaker 14a. The transmitter 14c also
amplifies the analog sound signal output from the microphone 14b,
and converts the amplified analog sound signal into a digital sound
signal, and transmits the digital sound signal to the
transmitting/receiving section 13.
[0061] If the user can view the display section 15, that is, if it
is determined on the basis of the open/close signal MS3a that the
upper and lower housings MS1 and MS2 are opened, the display
section 15 displays characters, numerals, or images under the
control of the control section 11. In this case, data displayed on
the display section 15 is switched by an instruction from the
control section 11 in response to a key operation from the input
device 16 or an incoming call signal. The images include images
from the contents 22a stored in the contents storage section 22.
Therefore, the expression that the display section 15 displays
contents is used. The display luminance of the display section 15
varies under the control of the control section 11.
[0062] When the user cannot view the display section 15, that is,
when it is determined on the basis of the open/close signal MS3a
that the upper and lower housings MS1 and MS2 are closed, the
control section 11 controls the display section 15 so as not to
execute a display operation. When the user does not operate any key
of the input device 16 or no event occurs for a predetermined time,
the control section 11 controls the display section 15 so as not to
execute the display operation and/or decreases the display
luminance of the display section 15.
[0063] To control the display section 15 so as not to execute the
display operation or to decrease luminance is accompanied by
turning-off of a backlight of the display section 15 or a decrease
in luminance The event includes reception of an incoming call
signal or end of a call.
[0064] The input device 16 includes keys, that is, numeral keys for
assigning a telephone number to dial, and a plurality of function
keys. If a key of the input device 16 is operated, the key input is
received, and an identifier of the key is notified to the control
section 11. The identifier is received by a processing section
through the control section 11 and the control section 11 and
displayed on the display section 15 as characters, and a
corresponding operation is executed.
[0065] The image output section 21 projects images under the
control of the control section 11. The images include images from
the contents 22a stored in the contents storage section 22.
Therefore, the expression that the image output section 21 display
contents is used. The display luminance of the image output section
21 varies under the control of the control section 11.
[0066] If the user does not operate any key of the input device 16
or no event occurs for a predetermined time, when the control
section 11 controls the display section 15 so as not to execute a
display operation and/or decreases the display luminance of the
display section 15, similarly, the control section 11 may control
the image output section 21 so as not to execute a display
operation and/or may decrease the display luminance of the image
output section 21.
[0067] In particular, when display by the image output section 21
structurally helps the user to view display, for example, when
projection by the image output section 21 is performed at a short
distance from the terminal, the above control may not be performed.
In addition, when display by the image output section 21 is
identical to display by the display section 15, the above control
may not be performed. This is because it is not necessary to
control display by the image output section 21 and display by the
display section 15 so as not to be performed within the
predetermined time, or to decrease luminance.
[0068] The contents reproduction section 23 selects contents 22
stored in the contents storage section 22 on the basis of a key
operation of the input device 16 or in accordance with an
instruction from each section of the terminal, and reproduces the
selected contents 22a to display the contents 22a on the display
section 15 and/or the image output section 21.
[0069] The contents reproduction section 23 displays contents with
luminance according to a key operation of the input device 16 or
designation of the processing section, which instructs to display
contents. When contents 22a include sound, sound is generated from
the speaker 14a and/or a second speaker (not shown) for
notification sound generation.
[0070] The browser section 24 accesses a Web server apparatus (not
shown), and controls the display section 15 and/or the image output
section 21 to display an image received from the Web server
apparatus.
[0071] That is, when a key of the input device 16 is operated, the
browser section 24 is activated by the control section 11, accesses
a Web server apparatus, which is designated by a key operation of
the input device 16 or is identified by information stored in the
browser section 24 beforehand, and controls the display section 15
and/or the image output section 21 to display a Web page to be
transmitted from the apparatus.
[0072] If a button on a Web page to be displayed is selected by a
key operation of the input device 16, the browser section 24
receives a Web page associated with the button, and controls the
display section 15 and/or the image output section 21 to display
the Web page.
[0073] When contents are associated with the button, the browser
section 24 receives the contents and stores the contents in the
contents storage section 22 as the contents 22a, and controls the
contents reproduction section 23 to reproduce the stored contents
22a. When a key of the input device 16 is operated, the operation
of the browser section 24 is ended.
[0074] The contents transfer section 25 transfers contents to and
from a contents server apparatus (not shown), and controls the
display section 15 and/or the image output section 21 to display
contents received from the contents server apparatus. That is, when
a key of the input device 16 is operated, the contents transfer
section 25 is activated by the control section 11, and accesses a
contents server apparatus which is designated by a key operation of
the input device 16 or is identified by information stored in the
contents transfer section 25 beforehand.
[0075] The contents transfer section 25 receives contents stored in
the contents server apparatus, which is designated by a key
operation of the input device 16 or is identified by information
stored in the contents transfer section 25 beforehand, stores the
contents in the contents storage section 22 as the contents 22a,
and controls the contents reproduction section 23 to reproduce the
stored contents 22a. When a key of the input device 16 is operated,
the operation of the contents transfer section 25 is ended.
[0076] The electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26
transmits and receives an electronic mail. When transmitting an
electronic mail, the electronic mail transmitting/receiving section
26 is activated by a key operation of the input device 16, and
transmits the title and the body of an electronic mail created by
key operations of the input device 16 to a mail server apparatus
(not shown) with a destination address input by a key operation of
the input device 16 designated. In this case, the contents 22a is
attached as an attached file in accordance with an instruction
based on a key operation of the input device 16.
[0077] When receiving an electronic mail, if an electronic mail
incoming signal is received, the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 is activated by the control
section 11, and receives the header and the body of an electronic
mail from the mail server apparatus. The header includes at least
the sender's address and the title of the electronic mail. The
header and the body of the received electronic mail are stored in a
mailbox (not shown) in the electronic mail transmitting/receiving
section 26. In addition, the header and the body of the electronic
mail stored in the mailbox are also displayed on the display
section 15 and/or the image output section 21.
[0078] When the electronic mail has an attached file, the
electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26 receives the
attached file in accordance with a key operation of the input
device 16, stores the received file in the contents storage section
22 as the contents 22a, and instructs the contents reproduction
section 23 to display the stored contents 22a on the display
section 15 and/or the image output section 21. When a key of the
input device 16 is operated, the operation of the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 is ended.
[0079] A description will now be provided for an operation of each
processing section of the mobile communication terminal according
to the embodiment of the invention, that is, each of the browser
section 24, the contents transfer section 25, and the electronic
mail transmitting/receiving section 26, to receive contents through
a communication section of the mobile communication section, that
is, the mobile communication network communication section 12b or
the local area wireless communication section 12e, and to control
the display section 15 and/or the image output section 21 to
display the contents.
[0080] FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the mobile
communication error rate-speed association 12f stored in the mobile
communication error rate-speed association storage section 12c. The
mobile communication error rate-speed association 12f includes
bearers, for example, a first bearer 12g-1, a second bearer 12g-2,
a third bearer 12g-3, and a fourth bearer 12g-4, which are arranged
in a vertical direction.
[0081] Error rates including a first error rate 12h-1, a second
error rate 12h-2, a third error rate 12h-3, and a fourth error rate
12h-4 are arranged in a horizontal direction. The mobile
communication error rate-speed association 12f is information of a
two-dimensional table format including four items in each of the
vertical and horizontal directions.
[0082] This table indicates association between a communication
error rate for each bearer and a communication speed with respect
to communication between the base station and the mobile
communication network communication section 12b. For example, if a
bearer is an i-th bearer 12g-i, and an error rate is a j-th error
rate 12h-j, a communication speed is Xijbps (Bits Per Second).
[0083] In the mobile communication error rate-speed association 12f
of FIG. 4, i is a natural number ranging from 1 to 4, and j is a
natural number ranging from 1 to 4 (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.4 and
1.ltoreq.j.ltoreq.4). The descriptions of an allowable range of i
and an allowable range of j will be omitted. The allowable range of
i and the allowable range of j are not limited thereto.
[0084] An i-th bearer 12g-i is communication by a basic channel to
be used for voice communication and data communication,
communication by an exclusive channel for data communication, or
communication by an HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access)
system. The first error rate 12h-1 indicates an error rate 0, that
is, no error is mixed.
[0085] A k-th error rate 12h-k is larger than a (k-1)th error rate
12h-k-1. Here, k is a natural number ranging from 2 to 4 (k-th
error rate 12h-k>(k-1)th error rate 12h-k-1, and
2.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.4). If an error rate is large, a communication
speed is low. Therefore, a communication speed Xik is lower than a
communication speed Xik-1 (Xik<Xik-1). The description of an
allowable range of k will be omitted.
[0086] The mobile communication error rate-speed association 12f of
FIG. 4 has the four items in each of the vertical and horizontal
directions, but this is not intended to limit the invention. The
number of items in the vertical direction is the number of bearers,
and at least one item is provided. The number of items in the
horizontal direction indicates how finely the error rate is set,
and at least two items are provided. This is because at least an
item having an error rate of zero (0) and an item having an error
rate of nonzero are required.
[0087] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
browser section 24 to receive contents and control the display
section 15 and/or the image output section 21 to display the
contents. While a Web page is displayed, the browser section 24
starts an operation to receive and display contents (Step S24a). In
this case, display is performed with high luminance. A description
regarding whether display in Step S24a and later is display on the
display section 15 or display on the image output section 21 will
be provided below.
[0088] The browser section 24 inputs a button operation on the Web
page, that is, inputs selection of an option instructing to receive
a different Web page. For example, a cursor is moved onto the
button by an operation of the cross selection key 16b, and then an
operation of the enter key 16a is input (Step S24b). Next, it is
determined whether or not the button is a button that instructs to
download contents (Step S24c).
[0089] If it is determined that it is the button that instructs to
download contents, the browser section 24 instructs the
transmitting/receiving section 13 to download contents to be
identified by the button, and stores the downloaded contents in the
contents storage section 22 as the contents 22a. Next, the browser
section 24 receives a notification of download completion from the
transmitting/receiving section 13 (Step S24d), and controls the
contents 22a to be reproduced (Step S24e). Next, the browser
section 24 returns to the operation to input a button operation of
Step S24b. The operation of Step S24d will be described below in
detail.
[0090] In regards to reproduction display of the contents 22a in
Step S24e, a window to be displayed may be a part of a window
allocated to the browser section 24 or the entire window, or a
different window. Reproduction display may be performed by the
contents reproduction section 23 or the browser section 24. The
downloaded contents may be stored in the browser section 24, not
the contents storage section 22.
[0091] If it is determined in Step S24c that the button is not the
button that instructs to download contents, the button is a button
that selects and displays a Web page different from the Web page
being displayed. In this case, the browser section 24 displays the
selected Web page (Step S24f). Next, the browser section 24 returns
to the operation to input a button operation of Step S24b.
[0092] The operation to download contents in Step S24d will be
described in detail. FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart illustrating
the operation of the browser section 24 to download contents. The
browser section 24 starts to download contents (Step S24h), and
instructs the transmitting/receiving section 13 to download the
contents. When the instruction is input, a communication path is
not designated, a communication path selected by the
transmitting/receiving section 13 is notified from the
transmitting/receiving section 13. When a part of the beginning of
the contents are downloaded (Step S24i), a time required to
download contents is predicted (Step S24j),
[0093] In this case, the browser section 24 predicts the time
required to download an undownloaded portion of the contents. In
this specification, for simple explanation, the expression that the
time required to download contents is predicted is used.
[0094] The time required to download contents is predicted as
follows. In Step S24i, the browser section 24 obtains a
communication speed during a previous download operation on the
basis of a quotient calculated by dividing the size of the
downloaded contents by the time elapsed of the previous download
operation. Next, a communication speed for a next download
operation is predicted on the basis of the communication speed
during the previous download operation.
[0095] For example, the browser section 24 predicts that the
communication speed for the next download operation is identical to
the communication speed during the previous download operation.
Next, the time required to download contents is predicted by
dividing the size of the contents by the communication speed for
the next download operation. The size of contents to be downloaded
is obtained as the attribute of a button to be operated.
[0096] In Step S24i, the download operation of a part of contents
is performed in order to predict the time required to download
contents. Therefore, Step S24i and Step S24j may be executed by the
browser section 24 as a single step.
[0097] If a part of contents is small, the time required to
download contents can be rapidly predicted. However, when the
download operation starts, the communication speed for the download
operation may be unstable. For this reason, in Step S24i, the
browser section 24 executes the download operation until the speed
becomes stable for every short time. When the speed does not become
stable for every short time, the download operation is executed
until an average communication speed becomes asymptotically uniform
after the download operation starts.
[0098] The browser section 24 compares the predicted time required
to download contents with a predetermined time (Step S24k) When the
time required to download contents is equal to or more than the
predetermined time, the browser section 24 displays the contents
with luminance decreased. Display with luminance decreased includes
non-display (Step S24m).
[0099] An arbitrary matter is displayed. For example, a Web page
transmitted from the Web server apparatus or a sandglass image may
be displayed. In addition, the Web page and the sandglass image may
be displayed together. The sandglass image indicates that contents
are being downloaded and it takes a time until the contents are
downloaded.
[0100] A progress bar may be displayed. In addition, a Web page
transmitted from the Web server apparatus and the progress bar may
be displayed together. The progress bar indicates a ratio of a
downloaded portion of contents to the size of contents. The
progress bar is a bar graph-shaped figure, and a part of the bar
graph-shaped figure is displayed so as to be different from the
remaining portion, for example, with a different color from the
remaining portion. A ratio of the different portion indicates the
ratio of the downloaded portion of the contents.
[0101] If the contents are downloaded (Step S24n), the browser
section 24 displays the contents with luminance restored (Step
S24o), and ends the download operation (Step S24p). When restoring
luminance, the browser section 24 may restore the display luminance
of the image output section 21, but may not restore the display
luminance of the display section 15, such that display is performed
with low luminance, or may control display so as not to be
performed. This is because, if the display luminance of the image
output section 21 is restored, it is not necessary to control the
display section 15 to perform display.
[0102] After the download operation is completed, the browser
section 24 restores luminance, but this is not intended to limit
the invention. Luminance may be restored before the contents are
displayed in Step S24e of FIG. 5. When the browser section 24 does
not transmit any signal to the display section 15, the display
section 15 may not perform display. In addition, when no signal is
transmitted to the image output section 21, the image output
section 21 may not perform display.
[0103] In Step S24k, when the time required to download contents is
less than the predetermined time, if the contents are downloaded
(Step S24q), the browser section 24 ends the download operation
(Step S24p). In Step S24q, the browser section 24 changes the
display luminance, but this is not intended to limit the invention.
The browser section 24 may control the display section 15 to
perform display with low luminance or not to perform display. This
is because, if the contents are displayed on the image output
section 21, it is not necessary to display the contents on the
display section 15.
[0104] When the contents are a motion image, and the motion image
is reproduced by streaming, the browser section 24 predicts whether
or not an unreceived portion of the motion image is received after
a part of the motion image is received until the received portion
of the motion image is reproduced. That is, the time required to
download contents means the time required to download data that is
necessary to start playing back the motion image.
[0105] When it is predicted that the unreceived portion of the
motion image is received, the browser section 24 ends the download
operation of Step S24p while continuing the download operation of
Step S24n or Step S24q, and performs reproduction display of the
contents of Step S24e (not shown). When the download operation of
Step S24n is being executed, the operation to restore luminance in
Step S24o is executed before the download operation of Step S24p is
ended.
[0106] From the predicted communication speed for the download
operation described in Step 24j, it is possible to easily determine
whether or not the unreceived portion of the motion image is
received after a part of the motion image is received until the
received portion of the motion image is reproduced.
[0107] While contents are downloaded, the communication speed may
be changed. For this reason, during the download operation of Step
S24q, the browser section 24 may predict the time required to
download contents in Step S24j, compare the predicted time with the
predetermined time in Step S24k, and if the predicted time is equal
to or more than the predetermined time, may control display to be
performed with luminance decreased in Step S24m. During the
download operation of Step S24n, since display is performed with
luminance decreased in Step S24m, it is not necessary to execute
Steps S24j to S24m.
[0108] While the browser section 24 receives the contents, and
controls the display section 15 and/or the image output section 21
to display the contents, an operation of the browser section 24 to
control the display section 15 or the image output section 21 to
display contents will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and
6.
[0109] A first display control operation is an operation when the
terminal is in a mode in which the display section 15 and the image
output section 21 perform the same display, and includes display on
the display section 15 and display on the image output section 21.
That is, the browser section 24 constantly controls the display
section 15 and the image output section 21 to display contents. In
this case, display with luminance decreased in Step S24m is
performed by the following two methods.
[0110] A first method controls one of the display section 15 and
the image output section 21 to perform display with luminance
decreased. Alternatively, one of them may not perform display. That
is, the other one is performed with luminance unchanged, and thus
it is possible to easily view that contents are being downloaded.
If display on the image output section 21 is performed with
luminance decreased or is not performed, that is, display on the
display section 15 is performed with luminance unchanged, power
consumption can be significantly reduced. This is because power
consumption of the image output section 21 is larger than power
consumption of the display section 15.
[0111] If display on the display section 15 is performed with
luminance decreased or is not performed, that is, display on the
image output section 21 is performed with luminance unchanged, a
person other than the user who views the image output section 21
can easily view that contents are being downloaded.
[0112] A second method controls both the display section 15 and the
image output section 21 to perform display with luminance
decreased. Alternatively, both of them may not perform display. One
of display on the display section 15 and display on the image
output section 21 may be performed with luminance decreased, or may
not be performed. According to this method, it will be apparent
that significant power consumption can be reduced, as compared with
the first method. If display on the display section 15 is continued
with low luminance, significant power consumption can be achieved.
In addition, if display on the image output section 21 is continued
with low luminance, a person other than the user who views the
image output section 21 can easily view that contents are being
downloaded.
[0113] A second display control operation is an operation when the
terminal is in a mode in which the display section 15 and the image
output section 21 are permitted to perform different display.
Specifically, when the browser section 24 starts to receive
contents and display the contents in Step S24a, the image output
section 21 displays contents 22a from a processing section, for
example, the contents reproduction section 23, other than the
browser section 24.
[0114] In this case, the browser section 24 controls display on the
display section 15 in accordance with one of the first method and
the second method. In regards to display on the image output
section 21, the browser section 24 does not perform a processing
until the download operation of Step S24d is ended. From the
operation to display downloaded contents of Step S24e, display by
the browser section 24 is performed.
[0115] At this time, the operation to restore luminance of Step
S24o in FIG. 6 is executed. This is because it is not clear how a
processing section other than the browser section 24 controls the
display luminance of the image output section 21. As a result,
until the download operation of Step S24d is ended, display by a
processing section other than the browser section 24 is continued
with luminance unchanged.
[0116] According to the second display control operation, display
on the image output section 21 is display related to contents
download, not meaningless display. Until contents are displayed,
display by a processing section other than the browser section 24
can be continued, and effective display can be provided to a person
who views the image output section 21. The user can view the
display section 15 to progress contents download.
[0117] During the operation of the browser section 24 to receive
contents and display the contents, the communication path is
selected by the transmitting/receiving section 13, but the
communication path may be designated by the browser section 24.
When the communication path is designated by the browser section
24, the same operation as the above operation is executed. The
communication path is not changed after the browser section 24
starts to receive contents until the contents are received, but
this is not intended to limit the invention.
[0118] If the communication path is changed while the contents are
received, when the operation to decrease the display luminance in
Step S24m is not executed (including when the contents are being
downloaded in Step 24q), the browser section 24 predicts a time
required to download an undownloaded portion of the contents in
Step S24j before or after the time required to download contents is
evaluated in Step S24k. In Step S24k, when the required time is
equal to or more than the predetermined time, the operation to
decrease the display luminance in Step S24m is executed, and then
the contents are continued to be downloaded.
[0119] The communication path is changed due to the following two
momentums. A first momentum is a handover by the
transmitting/receiving section 13. When the handover is performed,
the browser section 24 receives from the transmitting/receiving
section 13 a notification purporting that handover is
performed.
[0120] When the handover changes the communication path from the
local area wireless communication section 12e to the mobile
communication network communication section 12b, the communication
speed may be decreased. In addition, when the terminal is moved, it
is away from a wireless LAN access point, and as a result, the
handover may be performed. Therefore, it is effective that the
browser section 24 predicts the time required to download
contents.
[0121] A second momentum is an instruction to change a
communication path from the browser section 24 with respect to the
transmitting/receiving section 13. An operation of the browser
section 24 to instruct a change of a communication path will be
described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
browser section 24 to instruct a change of a communication
path.
[0122] The operation of the browser section 24 to instruct a change
of a communication path starts when the communication speed is
predicted in Step S24i, when a notification purporting that a
handover is performed is received from the transmitting/receiving
section 13, or each time a predetermined time elapses while
contents are downloaded in Steps S24n and Step S24q (Step
S24s).
[0123] Next, the browser section 24 predicts a communication speed
(Step S24t). When the operation starts with the communication speed
obtained in Step S24i, since the communication speed has already
been predicted, Step S24t is not needed. When the operation starts
with other momentums, the communication speed is predicted, as
described in Step 524i.
[0124] When the communication path notified from the
transmitting/receiving section 13 uses the mobile communication
network communication section 12b, the browser section 24 executes
the following operation. First, an error rate when the mobile
communication network communication section 12b is used is
estimated with reference to the mobile communication error
rate-speed association 12f shown in FIG. 4 (Step S24u). That is,
when the communication path notified from the
transmitting/receiving section 13 is the i-th bearer 12g-i, if the
error rate is the j-th error rate 12h-j, it is determined whether
or not the communication speed becomes the communication speed
obtained in Step S24t, that is, whether or not the communication
speed obtained in Step S24t is identical to the communication speed
Xij.
[0125] If j is acquired when the communication speed obtained in
Step S24t and the communication speed Xij are identical to each
other, the browser section 24 estimates that the error rate is the
j-th error rate 12h-j. When the communication speed Xij which is
identical to the communication speed obtained in Step S24t is not
obtained, it is determined whether or not the communication speed
obtained in Step S24t is a weighted average value of the
communication speed Xik-1 and the communication speed Xik.
[0126] The communication speed obtained in Step S24t is lower than
the communication speed Xik-1 and higher than the communication
speed Xik. The error rate is estimated as a weighted average value
of the (k-1)th error rate 12h-k-1 and the k-th error rate
12h-k.
[0127] Next, the browser section 24 searches a bearer which is fast
and meets limitations of current consumption and power consumption
at the acquired error rate (Step S24v). The communication speed of
each bearer is acquired as follows That is, at the acquired the
j-th error rate 12h-j, the communication speed Xij is predicted by
the i-th bearer 12g-i. When the acquired error rate is the weighted
average value of the (k-1)th error rate 12h-k-1 and the k-th error
rate 12h-k, the communication speed of the i-th bearer 12g-i is
predicted as the weighted average value of the communication speed
Xik-1 and the communication speed Xik.
[0128] The limitations of current consumption and power consumption
are as follows. That is, the browser section 24 stores current
consumption required for communication by the first to fourth
bearers 12g-1 to 12g-4 in the browser section 24. When the total
sum of current consumption for communication by a bearer, current
consumption for display on the display section 15, current
consumption for display on the image output section 21, and current
consumption for a telephone call is lower than current consumption
defined as the attribute of the rechargeable battery 31, it is
determined that the bearer meets the limitation of current
consumption.
[0129] When the operation to decrease the display luminance in Step
S24m is executed, current consumption for display on the display
section 15 and current consumption for display on the image output
section 21 have different values depending on the operation. Power
consumption for a telephone call is added because a call may start
while contents are downloaded.
[0130] The browser section 24 acquires the time required to
download contents through communication by each of the first to
fourth bearers 12g-1 to 12g-4 with reference to the acquired
communication speed of a corresponding bearer. The amount of power
consumption for download using each bearer is acquired by
multiplying the time required to download contents, current
consumption for communication by a corresponding one of the first
to fourth 12g-1 to 12g-4 stored in the browser section 24, and an
output voltage of the rechargeable battery 31.
[0131] The amount of power consumption for display on the display
section 15 for a predetermined time is added to the amount of power
consumption for display on the image output section 21 for a
predetermined time, thereby acquiring the total amount of power
consumption. According to the total amount of power consumption, if
the amount of power accumulated in the rechargeable battery 31 is
less than the amount of power for a telephone call for a
predetermined time, the browser section 24 determines that the
bearer does not meet the limitation of power consumption.
Meanwhile, if not, it is determined that the bearer meets the
limitation of power consumption.
[0132] As described above, the browser section 24 acquires a bearer
having a fastest communication speed from among the bearers, which
meet the limitations of current consumption and power consumption,
and determines whether or not the acquired bearer is identical to a
bearer being used, that is, a bearer notified from the
transmitting/receiving section 13 (Step S24w).
[0133] If both are different from each other, the browser section
24 instructs the transmitting/receiving section 13 to change the
communication path, that is, to use the acquired bearer (Step
S24x), and ends the operation to instruct a change of a
communication path (Step S24y). Meanwhile, if both are the same,
the browser section 24 ends the operation to instruct a change of a
communication path (Step S24y).
[0134] In Step S24u, when the communication path notified from the
transmitting/receiving section 13 uses the local area wireless
communication section 12e, the browser section 24 does not execute
the steps subsequent to the operation to estimate an error rate in
Step S24u, and directly ends the operation to instruct a change of
a communication path (Step S24y). This is because, in terms of
contents download, communication using the local area wireless
communication section 12e, that is, communication by the wireless
LAN system is excellent in communication speed, current
consumption, and power consumption, as compared with communication
using the mobile communication network communication section
12b.
[0135] In the foregoing description, the browser section 24
estimates an error rate and predicts a communication speed by
communication of each bearer at the estimated error rate with
reference to the mobile communication error rate-speed association
12f of a table format shown in FIG. 4, but this is not intended to
limit the invention. The error rate and the communication speed may
be obtained by equations.
[0136] When equations are used, if a program corresponding to each
equation is stored, it can be considered that the mobile
communication error rate-speed association 12f is stored. The table
format enables reduction of an arithmetic operation time. In
addition, the equations do not require a storage capacity for
storing a table, and ensures an accurate error rate and an accurate
communication speed.
[0137] An image to be displayed on the display section 15 and an
image to be projected by the image output section 21 are
illustrated while the browser section 24 receives contents and
controls the display section 15 and/or the image output section 21
to display the contents, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 to
7. The images are just illustrated for understanding of the
operation of the browser section 24, but the image display
operation of the browser section 24 is not limited to display of
the illustrated images.
[0138] First, a first illustration will be described. FIG. 8 shows
an example of an image to be displayed on the display section 15
when a button operation on a Web page is input in Step S24b of FIG.
5. In this example, Web page display 15a is displayed in an upper
half portion of the display section 15. First function display 15b,
"select", is displayed in a lower left portion of the display
section 15, and second function display 15c, "return", is displayed
in a lower right portion of the display section 15. In this case,
projection by the image output section 21 is the same as the image
to be displayed on the display section 15.
[0139] In the Web page display 15a, hatching is used to indicate
that "polo" and "surfing" are buttons as selectable options. In
addition, hatching is used to indicate that the browser section 24
executes the same operation by an operation of the first function
key 16c near the first function display 15b, instead of an
operation of the enter key 16a.
[0140] The browser section 24 returns to a state where a key
operation of the input device 16, which was performed last, is not
executed, by an operation of the second function key 16d near the
second function display 15c. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 5,
the browser section 24 returns a state where an operation in a last
step is not executed. The instructions by the operation of the
first function key 16c and the operation of the second function key
16d are hereinafter common to all cases where the first function
display 15b and the second function display 15c are shown.
[0141] In case of display of FIG. 8, the button "polo" is not a
button that instructs to download contents, but a button that
displays a Web page different from a Web page being displayed.
Accordingly, if the button "polo" is operated, the browser section
24 executes to display a Web page selected in Step S24f of FIG. 5,
such that an image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display
section 15. Then, the browser section 24 returns to the operation
to input a button operation of Step S24b in FIG. 5. In this case,
projection by the image output section 21 is the same as the image
to be displayed on the display section 15.
[0142] In the image of FIG. 9, Web page display 15a is displayed in
an upper half portion of the display section 15. First function
display 15b, "select", is displayed in a lower left portion of the
display section 15, and second function display 15c, "return ", is
displayed in a lower right portion of the display section 15. In
the Web page display 15a, two still images as the background during
a polo game are arranged in a vertical direction, and the two still
images are hatched to indicate that they are buttons as selectable
options.
[0143] In case of display of FIG. 9, the buttons of the two still
images are buttons that instruct to download contents. Accordingly,
if an upper button is operated, the browser section 24 starts to
download contents to be identified by the button by the operation
of Step S24d in FIG. 6. After the download operation starts, an
image before the button operation is input, that is, the image
shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display section 15. However, in
the Web page display 15a, since one of the two still images has
already been operated, they are not buttons to be operated, and
thus they are displayed with no identification as buttons.
[0144] An image shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display
section 15 by the operation to decrease the display luminance of
Step S24m in FIG. 6. The image shown in FIG. 10 is similar to the
image shown in FIG. 9, but has the following differences. First,
the entire image is displayed with low luminance. The entire image
is hatched to indicate that the image is displayed with low
luminance.
[0145] As described above, since one of the two still images in the
Web page display 15a has already been operated, they are not
buttons to be operated. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 10, the
still images are not hatched. In addition, since an upper still
image is a button that has been operated, it is displayed in a
manner different from a lower still image, which is not operated,
is performed. In FIG. 10, the upper still image is displayed to
have a bold-line frame, which indicates different display.
[0146] The image output section 21 performs projection 21a during
contents downloaded shown in FIG. 11 by the display operation with
the display luminance described in Step S24m. The projection 21a
during contents download includes a sandglass image, and is
projection with low luminance. The entire image is hatched to
indicate that the image is displayed with low luminance.
[0147] The projection 21a during contents download does not include
the first function display 15b, "select", and the second function
display 15c, "return". This is because the first function display
15b and the second function display 15c indicate operations with
respect to the browser section 24 and are displayed on the display
section 15, and what is necessary is that the user can view
display. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The
projection 21a during contents download may include the first
function display 15b, "select", and the second function display
15c, "return".
[0148] If the contents are downloaded, the display luminance is
restored by the operation of Step S24o, and an image shown in FIG.
12 is displayed on the display section 15 by the operation of Step
S24e in FIG. 5. In this image, contents reproduction display 15d is
displayed in an upper half portion of the display section 15. First
function display 15b, "select", is displayed in a lower left
portion of the display section 15, and second function display 15c,
"return", is displayed in a lower right portion of the display
section 15. Projection 21b during contents reproduction shown in
FIG. 13 is projected by the image output section 21. The contents
reproduction display 15d and the projection 21b during contents
reproduction display the same image.
[0149] The projection 21b during contents reproduction does not
include the first function display 15b, "select", and the second
function display 15c, "return". This is because the first function
display 15b and the second function display 15c indicate operations
with respect to the browser section 24 and are displayed on the
display section 15, and what is necessary is that the user can view
display. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The
projection 21b during contents reproduction may include the first
function display 15b, "select", and the second function display
15c, "return".
[0150] Next, a second illustration will be described. The second
illustration is a display example when contents 22a are displayed
on the image output section 21 by the contents reproduction section
23 when the browser section 24 starts to receive contents and
display the contents in Step S24a of FIG. 5. A difference from the
first illustration will be described.
[0151] In the second illustrating, instead of the projection 21a
during contents download shown in FIG. 11, projection 21c before an
instruction to download contents and during contents download shown
in FIG. 14 is projected by the image output section 21. The
projection 21c before contents download instruction and during
contents download is based on an image obtained by the contents
reproduction section 23, and projected with luminance
unchanged.
[0152] When the Web page display 15a shown in FIG. 8 is displayed
on the display section 15, or when the Web page display 15a shown
in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display section 15, in case of the
first illustration, display on the image output section 21 is the
same as display on the display section 15. Meanwhile, in case of
the second illustration, display on the image output section 21 is
the projection 21c before contents download instruction and during
contents download shown in FIG. 14.
[0153] The descriptions of the image to be displayed on the display
section 15 and the image to be displayed on the image output
section 21 in connection with the illustrations are finished, and
the description will be continued for the operation of each section
of the terminal.
[0154] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
contents transfer section 25 to receive contents and control the
display section 15 and/or the image output section 21 to display
the contents. The contents transfer section 25 starts an operation
to receive and display contents while displaying a list of contents
stored in the contents server apparatus (Step S25a). A control of
the contents transfer section 25 regarding whether display in Step
S25a and later is display on the display section 15 or display on
the image output section 21 is the same as described in the
operation of the browser section 24, and thus a description thereof
will be omitted.
[0155] If a key operation of the input device 16 is input, the
contents transfer section 25 sends the key operation to the
contents server apparatus (Step S25b), and determines whether or
not the key operation is an instruction to receive contents (Step
S25c). Contents reception follows FTP (File Transfer Protocol). For
example, if a cursor is moved onto one of a list of contents by an
operation of the cross selection key 16b, and then enter key 16a is
operated, an instruction to receive contents, on which the cursor
is located, to be identified from the list of contents is input. As
will be apparent from the FTP, no technical difference exists
between contents reception and file reception.
[0156] If it is determined in Step S25c that the instruction to
receive contents is input, the contents transfer section 25
receives contents transmitted from the contents server apparatus,
stores the received contents in the contents storage section 22 as
the contents 22a (Step S25d), and controls the contents 22a to be
reproduced (Step S25e). Next, the contents transfer section 25
returns to the operation to input a key operation of the input
device 16 in Step S25b.
[0157] If it is determined in Step S25c that the key operation is
not an instruction to receive contents, for example, the key
operation is an instruction to display a list of contents, the
contents transfer section 25 displays a list of contents
transmitted from the contents server apparatus in accordance with
the key operation (Step S25f). Next, the contents transfer section
25 returns to the operation to input a key operation of the input
device 16 in Step S25b.
[0158] The operation of the contents transfer section 25 in Step
S25d is the same as the operation of the browser section 24 in Step
S24d, which is described with reference to FIG. 6, and a
description thereof will be omitted.
[0159] In regards to reproduction display of contents 22a in Step
S25e, a window to be display is a window that is different from a
window allocated to the contents transfer section 25. Reproduction
display is performed by the contents reproduction section 23. For
this reason, the user's operation is needed after contents are
received in Step S25d until reproduction display of the contents is
performed in Step S25e. That is, the contents reproduction section
23 may receive a key operation of the input device 16.
[0160] During the operation of the contents transfer section 25 to
receive contents and display the contents, the communication path
is selected by the transmitting/receiving section 13 and not
changed until the contents are received, but this is not intended
to limit the invention. As described in the operation of the
browser section 24, the communication path may be designated by the
contents transfer section 25, or it may be changed due to two
momentums.
[0161] A first momentum is a handover by the transmitting/receiving
section 13, and a second momentum is an instruction to change a
communication path from the contents transfer section 25 to the
transmitting/receiving section 13. The operation of the contents
transfer section 25 to instruct a change of a communication path is
the same as the operation of the browser section 24 to instruct a
change of a communication path, and a description thereof will be
omitted.
[0162] An image to be displayed on the display section 15 and an
image to be projected by the image output section 21 during the
operation of the contents transfer section 25 are based on the
image to be displayed on the display section 15 and the image to be
displayed on the image output section 21 during the operation of
the browser section 24, which are described with reference to FIGS.
8 to 14, respectively. A difference is that, instead of the Web
page display 15a, contents list display is performed, as described
in Step S25f of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, which illustrates
the operation of the contents transfer section 25.
[0163] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26 to receive
contents and control the display section 15 and/or the image output
section 21 to display the contents. The electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 starts to receive and display
contents while displaying the title and body of each electronic
mail stored in the mailbox and an attached tile attached to the
electronic mail, that is, contents identification information (Step
S26a).
[0164] A control of the electronic mail transmitting/receiving
section 26 regarding whether display in Step S26a and later is
display on the display section 15 or display on the image output
section 21 is the same as described in the operation of the browser
section 24, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.
[0165] If a key operation of the input device 16 is input (Step
S26b), the electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26
determines whether or not the key operation is an instruction to
receive contents (Step S26c). Contents reception follows IMAP
(Internet Message Access Protocol). For example, if a cursor is
moved onto contents identification information by an operation of
the cross selection key 16b, and the enter key 16a is operated, it
is determined that an instruction to receive contents, on which the
cursor is located, to be identified by contents identification
information is input.
[0166] If it is determined that the instruction to download
contents is input, the electronic mail transmitting/receiving
section 26 downloads contents to be identified by the instruction,
stores the downloaded contents in the contents storage section 22
as the contents 22a (Step S26d), and performs reproduction display
of the contents 22a (Step S26e). Next, the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 returns to the operation to input
a button operation in Step S26b.
[0167] If it is determined in Step S26c that the button is not a
button that instructs to download contents, the button is a button
that is used to display an undisplayed portion of the body of the
electronic mail being displayed. Then, the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 displays the body in accordance
with the instruction (Step S26f). Next, the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 returns to the operation to input
a key operation of the input device 16 in Step S26b.
[0168] The operation of the electronic mail transmitting/receiving
section 26 in Step S26d is the same as the operation of the browser
section 24 in Step S24d, which is described with reference to FIG.
6, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0169] In regards to reproduction display of the contents 22a in
Step S26e, a window to be displayed may be a part of a window
allocated to the electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26
or the entire window, or a different window. Reproduction display
may be performed by the contents reproduction section 23 or the
electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26. In addition,
downloaded contents may be stored in the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26, not the contents storage section
22.
[0170] During the operation of the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 to receive contents and display
the contents, the communication path is selected by the
transmitting/receiving section 13 and not changed until the
contents are received, but this is not intended to limit the
invention. As described in the operation of the browser section 24,
the communication path may be designated by the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26, or the communication path may be
changed due to two momentums.
[0171] A first momentum is a handover by the transmitting/receiving
section 13, and a second momentum is an instruction to change a
communication path from the electronic mail transmitting/receiving
section 26 to the transmitting/receiving section 13. The operation
of the electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26 to
instruct a change of a communication path is the same as the
operation of the browser section 24 to instruct a change of a
communication path, and thus a description will be omitted.
[0172] An image to be displayed on the display section 15 and an
image to be display on the image output section 21 during the
operation of the electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26
are based on the image to be displayed on the display section 15
and the image to be displayed on the image output section 21 during
the operation of the browser section 24, which are described with
reference to FIGS. 8 to 14, respectively. A difference is that,
instead of the Web page display 15a, electronic mail body display
is performed, as described in Step S26f of the flowchart shown in
FIG. 16, which illustrates the operation of the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26.
[0173] In the foregoing description, the local area wireless
communication section 12e performs communication by the wireless
LAN system, but this is not intended to limit the invention.
Instead of or in addition to communication by the wireless LAN
system, communication by a Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) system
may be performed.
[0174] As for communication by this system, contents reception
follows OBEX (Object Exchange Protocol). In addition, communication
by this system may be performed with respect to a Bluetooth.RTM.
access point (not shown) or may be performed with respect to a
terminal (not shown) of a contact.
[0175] Communication by the Bluetooth.RTM. system has low power
consumption, as compared with communication through each bearer of
the mobile communication network communication section 12b. The
communication speed depends on the Bluetooth.RTM. system, but fast
communication is not necessarily performed. For this reason, when a
distance from the Bluetooth.RTM. access point or the contact's
terminal is changed, or when it is determined that faster
communication can be performed, the transmitting/receiving section
13 performs a handover.
[0176] To perform fast communication, the browser section 24, the
contents transfer section 25, and the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 perform a handover between each
bearer of the mobile communication network communication section
12b and the Bluetooth.RTM. system. The handover is the same as the
handover described with reference to FIG. 7, excluding that a
communication speed of communication by the Bluetooth.RTM. system
is predicted by the operation to predict a communication speed in
Step S24t, and a search including communication by the
Bluetooth.RTM. system is executed by the operation to fast search a
bearer in Step S24v, and thus a description thereof will be
omitted. As describe above, the handover may not be performed by
this operation.
[0177] In the foregoing description, the local area wireless
communication section 12e performs communication by the wireless
LAN system, but this is not intended to limit the invention.
Instead of or in addition to the wireless LAN system, communication
by the IrDA (Infrared Data Association) system using an infrared
ray may be performed.
[0178] When communication is performed through an infrared ray, the
terminal includes a light emitting section that emits an infrared
ray, and a light receiving section that receives the infrared ray.
As for communication by this system, contents reception follows
OBEX (Object Exchange Protocol). In addition, communication by this
system may be performed with respect to an infrared communication
access point (not shown) or may be performed with respect to a
terminal of a contact.
[0179] Communication by the IrDA system using an infrared ray has
low power consumption, as compared with communication by each
bearer of the mobile communication network communication section
12b. The communication speed depends on the IrDA system, but fast
communication is not necessarily performed. For this reason, when a
distance from the infrared communication access point or the
contact's terminal is changed, or when it is determined that faster
communication can be performed, the transmitting/receiving section
13 performs a handover.
[0180] To perform fast communication, the browser section 24, the
contents transfer section 25, and the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 perform a handover between each
bearer of the mobile communication network communication section
12b and the IrDA system through an infrared ray. The handover is
the same as the handover described with reference to FIG. 7,
excluding that a communication speed of communication by the IrDA
system is predicted by the operation to predict a communication
speed in Step S24t, and a search including communication by the
IrDA system is executed by the operation to fast search a bearer in
Step S24v, and thus a description thereof will be omitted. As
describe above, the handover may not be performed by this
operation.
[0181] In the foregoing description, when the
transmitting/receiving section 13 performs a handover, it is not
determined whether or not a communication path after the handover
meets the limitations of current consumption and power consumption,
and the browser section 24, the contents transfer section 25, and
the electronic mail transmitting/receiving section 26 determine
whether or not the communication path meets the limitations.
However, the invention is not limited thereto. The
transmitting/receiving section 13 may determine whether or not the
communication path meets the limitations.
[0182] The transmitting/receiving section 13 may perform the
handover shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the browser section 24, the
contents transfer section 25, and the electronic mail
transmitting/receiving section 26 receive a communication speed of
a communication path from the transmitting/receiving section 13,
and predicts the time required to download contents on the basis of
the received communication speed.
[0183] In the foregoing description, the communication speed is
predicted after a part of contents is received, but this is not
intended to limit the invention. For example, before contents are
received, for each bearer of the mobile communication network
communication section 12b, a fastest communication speed based on
the specification of the local area wireless communication section
12e may be predicted.
[0184] In addition, before contents are received, an error rate of
communication using the mobile communication network communication
section 12b may be estimated on the basis of the intensity or
quality of an electric wave received by the mobile communication
network communication section 12b or a signal to noise ratio, and
an error rate of communication using the local area wireless
communication section 12e may be estimated on the basis of the
intensity or quality of an electric wave received by the local area
wireless communication section 12e or a signal to noise ratio.
Prediction of a communication speed on the basis of the estimated
communication error rate is as described above. The communication
speed, instead of the error rate, may be estimated on the basis of
the intensity or quality of an electric wave.
[0185] In the foregoing description, the image output section 21 is
a projector that projects an image outside of the apparatus, but
the invention is not limited thereto. A processing section, may be
used, which transmits image signals and control signals for
instructing power supply and shutoff, and luminance change to a
display, which displays image outside the apparatus, for example, a
television receiver.
[0186] In the foregoing description, the mobile communication
terminal having the display section 15 and the image output section
21 has been described, but the invention can be applied to other
apparatuses. For example, the invention may be applied to a
contents receiving apparatus having no display section 15. In
addition, the invention may be applied to a contents receiving
apparatus having no image output section 21. The invention is not
limited to the above-described embodiment, but various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0187] As described with reference to the above embodiment, there
is provided a contents receiving apparatus that is capable of
reducing power consumption and performing display such that a
person who views display does not feel a sense of discomfort.
[0188] According to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce power
consumption and perform display such that a person who views
display does not feel a sense of discomfort.
* * * * *